"Dear Frank! what a nice present!" cried Dora. "He must have saved up his pocket-money for months!"
"He gets a good many tips," said H. R., drily.
"Pretty girls' brothers generally do," observed a harsh voice at the door.
Following the remark came Miss Bird herself. The maiden lady duly admired the Tennyson.
"The other two presents," said H. R., "are from Mr Somers and Dr Mortimer, and Dora won't open them because she knows I'm burning to see them."
"And make nasty remarks about them when you've seen them?" suggested Miss Bird.
Before H. R. could think of a suitable retort, Dora had drawn Koko's present from its enclosing wrappers.
"A work-box--full of things!" she said, laughing; "everything I can possibly want, even down to matches!"
The three ladies all agreed that it was a very nice work-box.
"And now for the third parcel," said H. R., meaningly.